Pressure-regulating, demand-limiting, and volumetric meter



Feb. 12, 1929.

' R. G. GRISWOLD PRESSURE REGULATING, DEMAND LIMITING, AND VOLUMETRIC METER Filed July 14, 1923 @MMJMM Patented l2,

twain RGBEBT G. GRISWOLZD, 0F WESTFIELD, NEVT JERSEY, ASSIGNGB, TO DOI-IEBTY RE- SEARCH CUMPANY, 01? NEW" YORK, N. '5.., A. UOEIEOEA TION OI DELAVTAEE.

PBESS'URE-REGULATING, DEMAND-LIMITING, AND VOLUIVIETRIC IMET ER.

Application filed July 14, 1923. Serial No. 651,488.

My invention relates to the art'oit metering the volume and regulating the flow oi": gas.

The novel. features of my invention are pointed out with particularity inthe appended claims. The invention itself. however, together with the several objects and advantages therein, will best he understood from the .iollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan. view of an apparatus according; to my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section for purposes of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section for purposes oft illustration.

In the drawing 40 is a casing which may conveniently be made of cast iron or of thin tinned iron sheets soldered together as in the ordinary tin meter. According to my invention 1. place within casing 40 the major portion at the mechanism 42 ot a volumetric gas meter. This may conveniently be of the ordinary bellows type as illustrated. Above posing): 40 is a casting 44 providing an upwardly opening chamber 46 within which is the valve mechanism 48 of the meter mechanism 42. Above casting -4 is casting 5O havinn a downwardly opening chamber 52 on i is lower portion communicating freely with the valve chamber 46. Casting is provided with upwardly extending gas inlet 54 and as outlet 56. The entering the inlet 54 passes downwardly into chamber 52 through a valve seat 58 cooperating with which is a combined pressure regulating and demand limiting; inlet valve 60. From the chamber 52 the u'as passes thence through a meter mechanism iii the ordinary way and then into an outlet passage 62 running; from the outet side ci the meter mechanism in the casing 40 up through the castings 44 and 30. At the u 'iper end of the pass? e 62 is a plug 4 in which is a demand limiting orifice 66. The passing: from the meter through par sage 62 and orifice 66 issues into achamber G8 in tree communication with the outlet passagzge in the outlet 56 previously mentioned. clearly illustratech the plug 64 is an he inserted through the ehamliier es is exposed to atmosphere which enters freely 7 through a cap 76 secured to the top of casting 50, the cap 76 having aperture 77therein i'oi the purpose of admitting atmospheric pressure. The space or chamber 73 intermediate the diaphragms T2 and 7 4 communicates with the outlet parsage in outlet 56 by means of a conduit or passage 78. As appears clearly from Fin. 2 also the valve 60 is connected to be operated by diaphragms 72 and 7 4. A spindle 80 on which the valve 60 is mounted being piv otally connected to oneend of a lever 82., piv oted at 84, and the other end of. the lever 82 being pivoted in turn at 86 to a stem 88 connected to diaphragms 72and 74. The connection between diaphragm 72 and spindle 88 may be rigid it desirech but the connection between spindle 88 and diaphragm 7 4 must be a lost motion connection. It often becomes necessary, according to the present invention to control the valve 60 independently of diaphragm 74 and I have illustrated this connection as being formed by an enlarged head 90 on the upper end of the spindle 88 and resting in a' socket or chamber 92 formed within the weight or plate 94 fixed to the diaphragm 74. Not only is the diaphragm 74 weighted by the plate 94 but the diaphragm 72 is pretcrably stiffened by the weight 96. It has been found also that an apertured partition 98 in llQYlllGCllElilG the two diaphragms 7 2 and 74 prevents hunting or chattering of the diaphraprms and valve 60 when the diaphragms are'subjected to rapid changes of pressure.

The meter construction outlined above is used to perform three distinct functions or operations namely: (1) to limit the quantity or volume of gas which may pass through the apparatus in a predetermined unitof time hereinatter reterred to as limiting; the demand; (2) to measure the volume of gas passin through the meter and to deliver the as at the outlet at a predetermined pressure when the volume of flow per unit of time is below and up to the do. rad limit, The

valveGO is operated to control the deniai'id limit ofthe gas and to control the, pressure at which the gas'leaves the meter..

V The usua-l'meters used in measuring volume or quantity of gas are bu ltasunits which have predetermined capacities. For example the common El-lightmeterv has a capacity of approximately 114E cubic feet pcr'hour a slight meter has a capacity of approximately 158 cubic feet perhourqand a 10- V lightmeter has a capacity of approximately water pressure.

, diaphra 'm 275 cubic feet per hour. Meters made by different manufacturers vary son'iewhat in the capacity delivered pervhour; In allolf these meters the measur g equipment is usually so calibrated that the d fference in pressure between the inlet and outlet of the or the pressuredropthrough the meterwhen measfor example, it it was desiren to use a meter which would deliver a *gasdemand limit or fit't'ycubic feet per hour. To 'adaot a 'g-light meter so that 1t Wlll deliver thedesired fifty cubicfeetper hour-an orifice, ug ea. is provided witha proper size oforitice to deliver cubic feet perhour while maintaining a pressure differential at oppositesides of the 72 oi one-halt an inch or water and to deliver gas throughthe outlet5-6 at pressure of three inches of: water. The outlet pressure of three inches is determined more directly by means ofthe size and weight of the plate 96 attached to the bottom otthe diaphragm72, the plate 9% attached to the bottom of the diaphragm 74 and the spindle 88. The

" combined weightefthese parts acts in Opposition to the pressures exerted on the bottoms of diaphragms .72 and 7 at. to operate the valve 6-O to throttle the pressure of the gas passing through the inlet so that the gas will pass through the measuring mechanism and orifice 66and, beidelivered at the outlet 56 at thedesired pressure The pressure regulatingdevices actto control the pressure at the inlet ofth -i measuring mechanism so that the gas is measured at a pressure which has thesminimum fffierence from the-pressure at which the gas is delivered to a customer.

The volume of gaspassing'through the meter is controlled directly by the resistance or pressure drop of the gas passing through the measuring mechanism. The supplemental reslstance of the flow of gas through the or1tice 66 acts to build up a sufiicientlylarge pressure diiferential across the diaphragm 72 to positively operate the valve when the demand limit is reached' l Vith this arrangement the flow of gas through the meter, when below the demand.

limit or below the volume which it is desired that the consumer shall use per hour, will be at such a rate as to provide a pressure in the chamber 73 which will lift the weights 96 and 94:, the spindle 88 and the diaphragms 72and 74: and operate the valve GO-to throttle the gas pressure in the chamber 52 so that the pressure inoutlet 5'6will be the desired maximum. The pressure diil'erence on opposite sides of diaphragm 74 or the dill erence betweenatmospherie pressure and the pressure in chamber 7 3 is always more than enough,

during" an operation oft the meter below the demand limit, to lift the diaphragm TQ'and connected parts and positively operate the As the volume of passing valve 60; through the. outlet varies from zero up to the demand limit both of the diaphragms 7:2

and 74 will be operated in accordance'with the difierence between atn'iospheric pressure and the pressureexisting in the chamber 73 to deliver the gas at a uniform pressure and at this time the diaphragms will operate as a'constant pressure regulaton lithe consumer attempts to operate'applianees which will use more than the; demand limit of fifty cubic feet per hour for example,thepressure in the chamber '23 will tend'to fall to such a pointthat the diaphragm 74 with its weight willmove into its lowermost position and at this time the pressure differential across "the diaphragm 72 willtend to operate the diaphragm TQindependently the diaphragm 74:whereby'themechanism will operateas a demand limiting meter. At this time the, valve 60 is controlledsolely by the diaphragm 72 and thelatter operates entirely by virtue of the difier ence in gas pressure oetween chambers'fil and 73. The weight 98 is so se leeted that it will maintain approxin'iately a differential of onehalt an inch of waterpressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm and therefore when a customer attempts to use appliances which will'consume more gas than the demand limit, the pressure atthe outlet 56 will be varied in 0 aerating the diaphragm 72 to deliver a volume ott gas equal only to the demand limit. vVhentthe pressure in the outlet 56 begins to fall due to the demand limiting operationof the meter, the customer is warnedthat he is attempting to burn more than the demand limit and may ,therebyturn oil some 01" the gas burning; appliances'to restore full pressure. v

.vVhenit is desired toincr ase or \ecrease the deman'dliluit it is only nieces any to substituteoriiice plugs 64% having r erent sizes of orifices 66; v V a It will be seen that I have provided an arrangement having not only the advantages pointed out. above but one also adapted to use only well tried parts and mechanisms whereby the means for regulating the pressure, limiting the, maximum demand and metering the volume consumed may all be combined in'a unitary structure which is compact, and easily manuiactured.

it will be seen also that the arrangement according to my invention provides a rigid connection between the inlet and outlet whereby the thin casing of the ordinary tin house meter is eiiectively protected from damage in connecting the meter to and disconnecting it from the service pipes. Moreover, as all the apparatus is enclosed within one casing, the expense of connections is a minimum. 7

While I have illustrated and described in detail a particular embodiment of 1 ;y inven-- tion, it do not limit myself to details of the drawing or description except in so far as such details are essential to the novelty of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. ll na meter the combination of a casing, a volumetric measuring mechanism in the easing, means in the casing for restricting the rate of flow of fluid through the mechanism to a predetermined maximum, and means in the casing for delivering fluid from the easing at constant pressure.

2. In a meter the combination of a casing,

, a fluid inlet andoutlet in the casing, a volumetric measuring mechanism in the casing,

a flow restriction in the casing and in the path of flow of gas through the meter in series with the path of flow through the measuring mechanism, means including said flow restriction for limiting the flow of gas through said measuring mechanism to a predeter-' mined maximum and means responsive to i .1110 pressure at the meter outlet for controlling the flow of fluid through the meter.

1:3. In a meter the combination of a casing, a fluid inlet andoutlet in the casing, a volumetric measuring mechanism in the casing, a

How restriction in the casingau'd in the path. oi flow oi gas through the meter in serles with the path of flow through the measuring iechanism and means responsive to the pressure diiierential through said mechanism and restriction, for restricting the rate oi": flow of fluid through the meter to a predetermined maximum. I

l. In a met-er the combination of a casing, a fluid inlet and outlet in the casing, a volumetric n'ieasuring mechanism in the casing, a flow restriction in thecasing and in the path of How of through the rmeter in series with the path of flow of gas through the measuring mechanism, means responsive to the pressure differential through said mech anism and restriction forrestrictmg the rate of iiow of liuid through the meterto a predetermined maximum, and means responsive to changes of pressure; at the outlet to "maintaining the outlet pressure constant while delivering fluid up to the predetermined maximum. p

5. In a meter the combination of a casing,

'in the casing arranged to deliver gas from said inlet to said outlet and means mounted in the casing and responsive to the -diii erence in pressure between the pressure at the inlet of said mechanism and the pressure in the fluid on the outlet side of said restriction for controlling the flow of fluid through the meter. A

6. In a meter the combination of a volumetric metering mechanism, an inlet and outlet forthe meter, anorifice member through which the gas flows in series with said mechanism,a valve governing the flow of gas to said mechanism and orifice member, and means connected with the valve and subjected to the pressure of the gas flowing through the meter whereby said valve is controlled either by the diiierence between the gas pressure at the meter outlet and the at-.

mospheric pressure or by the drop in thegas pressure across both said mechanism and said orifice member depending on the rate of flow through said metering mechanism.

'7. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, a pressure operated volumetric meter mechanism, an inlet valve regulating the flow of gas to said mechanism,

an orifice member receiving gas from said mechanism, a pair of diaphragms for regulating said inlet valve, said diaphragms enclosing a space between them, means for operating said valve from said diaphragms, the apparatus being so constructed and arranged that one'o'f said diaphragm-s is exposed tothegas pressure at a point intermediate said valve and said mechanism and the other of said diaphragms is weighted and exposed to the atmosphere, said weighted diaphragm having lost motion connection with said means, and means whereby the pressure between said diaphragms is maintained equal to that on the outlet side of said orifice member.

8. Thecombination of a meter casingcontaining a volumetric metering mechanism having a chamber in its upper portion, a casting above said casing and having a chamber therein in free communication with said chamber in the meter casin saidisvchamber in the meter easing, said east-U having inleh and outlet oonnectionsthera l above said first; mentioneddiaphragm, an im let valve,ineanswherebyflsaid valve is con trolled by isaid diaphragn s, and aeonneotion sa d nletfto said chambers, connections bebetween:,saidjoutletf and, the space between ,said vdivaph "agms 7 ,said conneotion lie cheiinter-diaphragm space.

,: ineehanism, an oi liee,.ineinber between said p inlet;and sai d; eO ltlet and through Which 1 the e gasxpasses in series! ,With saidmechanism, a combined ,pressureregulating and. demand in Q either ,to; produce a substantially constant pressurelin,said outlet or to hunt the'flovv of gas.depending upon"the rate ofgas flow duetingoonnections whereby one of said dia across said ,nieehanism and said orifieeinem- ;ber,, ,and-, gpressure eonduct ng connect ons whereby the other dia hragm is Sub eCted to the pressure} difference ,pbet ween the; atm0s phfeieand that o the, firs gd iap mgm in saidi casing. ,and through: which. .the a. gas

49 flows in series with saidmecha'nisin, a pair of Operat ng members mounted to benmoved by1 a ges; pressure and' in eans whereby, gas 1s Supplied to,saidunechanism at substantially em ee 5 below aagivenQ amount, but whereby the, flow is out down when it tends to vexceed said amount, A said means, including pressure oon ducting eonneoizions; ,wherebj' an. operating ineinberfis subjeotedto the pressure drop 50, across said mechanism "and said orifice member i: and pressure.,connections whereby. the

otheinope a-tingjmeu ber issubjeoted to;th'e

pressure difference between atrnospheregand that onthe first operatingmeniberh t havingavalve.ehamber in. its upper portion,

a a casting @aho've saidicasing having, an'jinlet and 7 outlet and hav nga Qhamber oonneoted to said inlet and in free communication with ,,,;said valveehfllibel', a ,pair Qfdi'aphragms in J saidnhcast ng, fsaid cast ng and ksald dial-:

, phragrns lbeing so',oonstruoted and arranged that theld aphragms are spaced one, above the 55 fother, the .lotwer "of. said is; ex-

7 p A said casting having. an 7 orifice therein through which thegas passes j V p i, 4 illlliel'lllldl the, meter in echanism; and the v 10,. ,fllheeo nbinationof a volumetriometere, 15'. g mechanism, anmletand an outlet .for sald nitingfvalve oontrolling theflovvl o ftga's to thnoi ghhsaid, mechanism and said orifice; member, said means nclud ng pressure conphragnis is subjected to the pressure drop t pressure x vliile'tthe rate of fiow'is operating connections 1 between 12,]The combinationof ajeas 1ng hay1 g volumetric metering mechan sm tilt-311G111 and posed on its linden urfaoe ilQiSllQ gas pressure in said chambers andthenpp'er of'said diaphragmsh sit eppsrsurfa ee i os the atmosphere, said diaphra'grns being eighted, h p dia rasm bei w ight daiel tivelyjheavier than the lower, a oo nbined pressureregulating, and demand limiting inlet valve for eontrolhng passage 0i gas iron] tween said diaphragmsj and said valve'for operating said valve,isaid connections having saidoutl t and the space between said diaphragms V 13. The veoinbinatiouof a cas ngliav ng a' volumetric metering meoh'anisni therein and having a valve chamber in its upper portion, a casting above said casinghaving an inlet and outlet and fhaving. a chamber conneoted;to said inletandin free'oo nrnunioation With saidvalve;ehan ber, a pairo'f diarphragrns said Casting, s'aideasting in said diaphraglns being soi'consti uetedand arranged that the diaphifagnijs are spaced one above the-other, the lower ofsaid diaphiagms isexp'osed on its under surface to the gas pressure in said ohambers, and the upper of said diaphragrns has its upper surface exposed tothe atmosphere,said .diaphragms being Weighted, ,the upper diaphragm being Weighted relatively heavier than thellower,

a combined pressure regulating and demand limiting inlet valve for controlling, passage ofgas from said inlet to said chambers, oonneat-ions between said! diaphragms and said 7 valve for, operating said, valve, said conneotionshaving a lost motion engagement with sa d upper idiaph agn a gas connection be tween saidoutlet and the spacebetweensaid ,diaphragrns, and an'o'rifi oe member through' which the gas flows in series: with said'volu-I nietriof mechanism and. intermediate said mechanism an d sai d connection to the interdiaphragnispace. a

-'- 14. The combination o I alvolumetrie inein series v with 1 said mechanism, means in serles wlth'said'rneohanlsln causing an increased drop n pressure with increased flow oi: gas,

- a diaphragm, neans vhereby said diaphragm is operated bythe drop in pressure across both said neehan sm and sald means, and said dlaphragm and said valve.

15. The eombinatlonoi a volumetric metering meeh'amsmfa demand hmltlngvalve in series'jwith said meehanisinpniea ns in se Qries' with said mechanism Causing 7 an in creased drop in pressure. With increasedifiow ofgzis, a diaphragm, means whereby said diaphragm is operated by the drop in pres sure j across both 's'aid 1n1eeh'anismand, said means, and ineans'whereby said first men tioned means may be readily varied to vary teringlineehanisn ,a. demand limiting valve series with said mechanism, an orifice member in series with said mechanism causing increased drop in pressure with increased flow of gas, a diaphragm, means whereby said diaphragm is operated by the drop in pressure across both said mechanism and said orifice member, operating connections between said diaphragm and said valve, and means whereby said orifice member may be readily changed to vary the demand limit.

17. The cmnbination of a volumetric meter, valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said meter, a diaphragm, means including said diaphragm whereby said valve is controlled normally by the pressure on the 20 meter, a second diaphragm, and means ineluding said second diaphragm whereby said valve is controlled during periods of maximum flow of gas by the difference between the pressure at the outlets of said meter and that intermediate said valve and said meter.

18. The combination of a volumetric meter, valve means for controlling the flow of gas to said meter, a flow restriction in series with said meter, a diaphragm, means including said diaphragm whereby said valve is controlled normally by thepressure on the out-- let side 01' said meter, a second diaphragm,

and means including said second diaphragm whereby said valve is controlled during periods of maximum flow of gas by a pressure equal to the sum of the drops of pressure through said volumetric meter and said flow restriction. i

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ROBERT G. GRISWOLD. 

